Security forces say that 16 tribal elders have been killing by unknown assailants in the last six months. PHOTO: AFP
MIRANSHAH: A tribal elder was killed and another seriously injured as unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle in North Waziristan on Tuesday.
Authorities said that Malik Niaz and Malik Islam Khan were en-route to the deputy commissioner's office when they were ambushed by the assailants near Tapai village in Miranshah.
Niaz succumbed to his wounds while Khan was shifted to the district headquarters hospital with his condition said to be critical.
As the recent repatriation of internally displaced persons resumed there has been an upsurge in target killing in the area.
According to security forces, 16 tribal elders have been killed by unknown assailants in the last six months.
Blood-smeared polls: Attacks on the campaign trail
Meanwhile, local peole have been protesting against these incidents and IDP's repatriation.
Sources said the victims had no personal enmity or received any threats from any militant groups.
The violence comes in the wake of a string of terrorist attacks on electioneering in the run up to general elections on July 25.
On the polling day a suicide bomb blast killed at least 31 people in the southwestern city of Quetta, as millions of voters took to the polls to elect a new government.
The bomber targeted a police vehicle in the provincial capital of Balochistan province, wounding at least 40 others.
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